Automatic switch-latch mechanism



Jan. 21, 1930. T. J. ARLEDGE 7 AUTOMATIC SWITCH LATCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet I flvvuavqfoz T I afrzedy Filed June 9, 1928 Jan. 21, 1930 T. J. 'ARLEDGE AUTOMATIC SWITCH LATCH MECHAN SM Filed June 1928 2 Sliee'gs-Sheei. 2

Patented Jan. 21, 191%) UNITED STATES relates THOMAS J. ARLEDGE, OF GISGO, TEXAS AUTOMATIC SWITCH-LATCH MECHANISM Application filed .Tune 9,

This invention relates to an automatically operable mechanism designed to latch or look a railroad switch point or points to the adjacent stock rail or rails.

The main object of the invention is to provide an eflicient construction for the purpose stated so that the switch points will be held positively in place or applied in case of damage to the switch stand, connecting rods or associated parts, from any source, thereby avoiding loosening or failure of the switch points to remain in contact with the lead or stock rails.

It is further aimed to provide a construction which is independent of the switch stand and switch lever or lock, which is simple and durable and may be readily and easily applied to the present or standard type of switches without alterations in the latter or connections.

Additional objects and advantages will be pointed out or become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a view showing the invention in side elevation, )art thereof being shown in section to disclose details, and improvements being illustrated in connection with track structure,

Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are cross sectional views taken on the line 22, 33, 4l, 55, and 66, respectively, of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a view illustrating the invention with the parts of the form of Figure 1 applied where the switch point is arranged opposite to the location of Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 7 but of a modified form,

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the form of Figure 8, and

Figure 10 is a detail longitudinal sectional view illustrating the adjustable mounting of the latch lug employed.

Referring specifically to the drawings and first to the form of Figures 1 to 6, 1O designates a tie as used at a switch and which specifically may be the second head tie. Mounted thereon is a switch stand 11 and a 1928. Serial No. 284,114.

chair or seat 12 for a stock rail 13 and a point or tongue 14 of a switch, which is movable on the chair or plate 12 relative to the stock rail 13 to opened or applied position. All of the parts described are conventional.

Mounted at the rear side of the tie 10 is a rock shaft or rod 15 suitably journaled in hangers or bearings 16 fastened in any approved manner to the tie 10. Fixed to the rod or shaft 15 is a lug 17 which is adapted to always engage the adjacent longitudinal edge of the base flange of rail 13 as best shown in Figure 5 where the two positions of such lug 17 are shown, one in full lines and one in dotted lines. v

Also mounted on the rod 15 is an adjustable lug 18 which is adapted to engage one longitudinal edge of the base flange of the point 141 when the switch 14 is in applied position, as shown in Figure 1. Lug 18 has a corner thereof bevelled or tapered'as at 19 to provide for ease in moving the lug into locking position. Rod 15 has screw threads at 20 and the lug 18-has an opening 21 of a size to enable it to readily slide over such screw threads to different positions relative to the lug 17, being held against turning relative to rod 15 in its difierent positions by means of a key 22. Against opposite sides of lug 18, lock washers 23 are applied and against the latter, nuts 24 are engaged with the threads at 20. The nuts 24 hold the lug 18 rigidly in place and permit of its ready adjustment.

Rod 15 passes through and is journaled in a suitable casing or housing 25 appropriately fastened to the tie 10 and containing a coil spring 26 which surrounds the rod 15. Said spring 26 at one end 27 is fastened to casing 25 and at its upper end it is fastened to the rod 15, specifically to a pin 28 passing through such rod and adapted for engagement with a lug or stop 29 integral with the casing 25 when the parts are in looking position.

The rod 15 is adapted to be operated in any desired manner and for instance has a depressible pedal 30 connected thereto.

In operation, when the switch 14 is in opened position, it is disposed over the lug 18 whereby the latter is held in the dotted line position of Figure 6, the spring 26 being subj ected to torsion as the lug 18, rod 15 and as-operative position after the point has moved sociated parts are moved to such dotted line position. hen the switch 1% is thrown to its closed position, it moves from across the lug 18, thus releasing it, and enabling the ten sion of the spring 26 to restore the rod 15 and lugs 17 and 18 to locked position where they are disposed on opposite sides of the rail 13 and switch point 14:, positively holding the latter against loosening or opening until the pedal 30 has been depressed and the lug 18 moved again to the dotted line position of Figure 6.

It will be understood that the operation of the device is automatic as the point 14 moves to closed position and that the application and operation of the device is independent of the usual operating mechanism or parts of the switch.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, as shown in Figure 7, the identical parts are used as in the preceding form with the exception that the point 14 is transposed and accordingly the lugs 17 and 18 and associated parts are transposed.

Again, in the form of Figures 8 and 9, the structure is substantially the same as that of Figure 1 except the spring 26 and housing 25 are omitted and in lieu thereof an operating arm or lever 30 is fastened to the rod or shaft 15. Lever 30 is adapted for manual operation and near the handle 81 thereof is provided with a suitable weight 32 to urge the lever, shaft and'parts to locked position. An additional tie 33 is provided in this form. Lever 30 may be locked in a closed position when desired by a suitable lock device at 34- I claim as my invention 1. In combination with a switch point, latch mechanism to secure the same in applied position, said mechanism being normally overlapped and held inactive by the point when in open position, and means subject to torsion through the inactivity of said mechanism to automatically apply the latching mechanism when the switch point has moved to closed position.

2. In combination with a switch point, a rock shaft. a latch lug for said point, said lug being overlapped and maintained inactive by the point in its open position, and means subject to torsion through the inactivity of said mechanism to automatically urge rocking of said shaft to move the latch to operative position after the point has moved to applied position. i

3. In combination with a switch point, a rock shaft, a latch lug for said point, said lug being overlapped and maintained inactive 'by the point in its open position and means subject to torsion through the inactivity of said mechanism to automatically urge rocking of said shaft to move the latch to to applied position, and a second lug on said shaft, said second lug being adapted to engage an adjacent stock rail.

4. In combination with a switch point, a rock shaft, a latch lug for said point, said lug being overlapped and maintained inactive by the point in its open position, means subject to torsion through the inactivity of said mechanism to automatically urge rocking of said shaft to move the latch to operative position after the point has moved to applied position, and means to adjust said lug longitudinally of the shaft.

5. In combination with a switch point, a rock shaft, a latch lug for said point, said lug being overlapped and maintained inactive by the point in its open position, means subject to torsion through the inactivity of said mechanism to automatically urge rocking of said shaft to move the latch to operative position after the point has moved to applied position, and means to adjust said lug longitudinally of the shaft to which end said shaft has screw threads, securing devices engaging said lug on opposite sides thereof and engaging said screw threads, and a. connection to prevent turning of the lug relatively to the shaft.

THOMAS J. ARLEDGE. 

